What size of tire?

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JessC
On the street
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 6:32 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550
Location: California

What size of tire?

Post by JessC »

Hi,
I'm working on my 1975 GT550 and it needs a new rear tire one that is on it is a 4.25X18 and is totally dry rotted but holds air. What should I use to replace it with a equal size in the metric size? I will use the bike for highway rides. I need some idea's
Thanks,
Jess
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dorT500
To the on ramp
Posts: 253
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2017 12:01 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: '75 T500M since '93 Ridden it over 100,000 mi
Location: Galveston County, Tx.

Re: What size of tire?

Post by dorT500 »

JessC wrote:............. it needs a new rear tire one that is on it is a 4.25X18
Just passing through and saw no other replies for a couple or three days. I offer this for what it is worth.......


Stock rear rim? If so, just for the record, the 4.25 rear on there is not the stock tire size.

Stock rear rim size is 2.158 inches x 18...... Stock tire size 4.00 inches x 18

Stock front rim is 1.85 inches x 19 ....... 3.25 x 19

Calls for tires to be a matched set, that is, the tread design should be the same front and back.

You might look over this including the allowable tire size on a specific rim size chart.


https://www.denniskirk.com/learn/tire-sizes-explained" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"


search.php?keywords=Dunlop&terms=all&au ... mit=Search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"

search.php?keywords=Shinko&terms=all&au ... mit=Search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"

The stock rim sizes and tires are the same for my T500. I've used Dunlop 404's for years but have used Shinko 712's more recently. With both, I have to remove/move the main bracket for the front fender or deflate the tire a bit to pull the wheel out.
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jabcb
Moto GP
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Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
Location: southwestern Pennsylvania

Re: What size of tire?

Post by jabcb »

What front tire do you have? Take a look at the date code on the front tire. Might be time to change both tires.

As dorT500 said, the stock rear tire was 4.00x18. Back in the day, 4.25/85x18 was a performance-sized tire. I didn’t even know that size existed prior to seeing it mentioned on the SmokeRiders website.

Avon RoadRiders are a popular choice. They are available in the original stock sizes. The choices in modern metric sizes are limited because of the narrow rims.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
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dorT500
To the on ramp
Posts: 253
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2017 12:01 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: '75 T500M since '93 Ridden it over 100,000 mi
Location: Galveston County, Tx.

Re: What size of tire?

Post by dorT500 »

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